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Share on Facebook| Jerome Williams at Basketball without Borders Asia A Junk Yard Dog Whose Bite Has Turned into a Big Smile Former NBA star Jerome Williams stands out as one of the most enthusiastic NBA ambassadors at this summer’s Basketball without Borders Asia event in Shanghai. Williams earned the nickname “Junk Yard Dog” early in his career for his tireless work ethic on the court. Williams retired after nine years in the league, however the JYD work ethic is still there only it’s now accompanied by big smile and an infectious spirit of goodwill. The 6’9” former number one draft pick and power forward is participating in his third BWB. And when you watch him mix it up with participants, staff and anybody willing to share a laugh, you can’t imagine he’d rather be anywhere else. “This has been a great experience to come here and interact with kids from other countries,” confesses Williams. “I even brought my family—Mom, Dad, wife, two kids. (William’s brother John has also made the trip.) Even thought his son is retirement, John Williams Sr., Jerome’s dad has been roaming the courtside at BWB, ever the proud father. “He’s always been good,” says Williams Sr. about Jerome’s outgoing and giving attitude. “And it’s just gotten better; the NBA has really expanded his character.” “I’m just enjoying retirement.” It’s hard not to see that this is a retirement that benefits all of us. |
Day one at BWB brought 50 enthusiastic camp participants from across Asia together for the first of three life skills seminars, a press conference and photo session for players and coaches with Asia media, as well as heavy dose of basketball for everyone involved. What’s more, the select group of athletes shared court time with more than one-hundred young people with intellectual disabilities as honored guests for BWB’s Special Olympics Basketball Clinic.
Lessons for Life
More than just basketball skills, BWB imparts on its participants a philosophy of hard work and smart choices that they’ll bring back to their communities, serving as role models in the immediate future and perhaps for a lifetime.
Day one’s life skills seminar delivered to campers a message of being part of something truly special, and placed upon them the challenge of taking with they what learn over the next three days and turning it into a positive force for their own lives and the lives of others.
“Your in a unique situation here,” expressed BWB Camp Director and assistant Houston Rockets coach Dean Cooper to a room full of slightly reserved young men who represent the best basketball players 19 and under from more than 17 countries and territories across Asia, including Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Korea.
“You have a chance to interact and create friendships, and share with others from different countries. You’re going to see each other down the road; start something positive, which is what Basketball without Borders is all about.”
Getting Down to Business
After the morning press conference and photo session, it was time to get down to business on the court with the basketball clinic. Players warmed up and embarked on a series of basketball skills stations put on by assistant coaches and NBA player participants that would give them a taste the demands and discipline required to compete at an international level.
Being run through the paces by coaches Hank Egen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Mike Wilhelm (Chicago Bulls), and former NBA stars Sam Perkins and Jerome Williams, players quickly picked up the tempo of the morning session. They were pushed and helped along by NBA players Ha Seung-Jin (Portland Trailblazers), Josh Childress (Atlanta Hawks), Matt Bonner (Toronto Raptors), Pat Garrity (Orlando Magic), Richie Frahm (Houston Rockets) and six-time BWB participant Samuel Dalembert (Philadelphia 76ers).
After 90-minutes of work and sweat, the players broke for lunch and drew praise from Camp Director Cooper.
“The stations were great; the best in the last two years,” assessed Cooper. “I attribute this to our coaches and NBA players; and the kids were really focused.”
The Day’s Special Guests
While the morning skills session had an air of seriousness that put campers to the test, the afternoon launched a joyous energetic frenzy that brought smiles to every corner of the gym with BWB’s Special Olympic Basketball Clinic.
One-hundred and ten Special Olympics participants joined in a fun-filled skills session where the spirited young athletes dribbled, passed, shot, dunked (with the help of 7’3” Ha Seung-Jin and 6’11” Samuel Dalembert) and scrimmaged with great enthusiasm; an enthusiasm perhaps matched only by the NBA players themselves.
“The NBA players take great pride in their participation in the Special Olympics session,” beamed Cooper. He added that he was particularly proud of the numbers of BWB campers that took time from the rest period, and impulsively joined in the infectious fun.
“Small things make kids happy; it’s good for our players to see this.”
Peter Wheeler, Executive Vice President of the Special Olympics was also pleased with the event.
“It’s terrific anytime we can get Special Olympics athletes and the NBA together,” said Wheeler. “The NBA started with us in the 70s, and today they’re still showing their continued commitment to community. Our young people not only learn from NBA greats, but their experience increases their level of integrity. And the kids are not only changed, the players are changed.
“For some, this is their first experience coming in to contact with people with intellectual disabilities,” added Wheeler. “Players are often surprised with the experience. The truth is, no matter where you’re from, all people are the same.”
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